Ex-MP job stirs new 'mates' row

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The Bracks Government is embroiled in another jobs-for-mates row
after appointing former federal Labor MP Christian Zahra as a
director of one of the state's key energy companies.

Mr Zahra, MP for McMillan for six years until he lost the seat
in the last federal election, has been appointed to the board of
government-owned VENCorp, the Victorian Energy Networks
Corporation.

He will be paid $37,500 a year for the part-time position,
described yesterday by the State Opposition as another job for a
"Labor mate".

"This Government is drunk on its own beliefs that it can get
away with appointing mates into positions, and it continues to do
it time and time again," scrutiny-of-government spokesman Richard
Dalla-Riva said.

"I think Victorians have every right to say enough is enough and
to demand justification while these candidates continue to be
receiving preferential treatment above potentially more suitable
candidates."

Mr Zahra is the latest failed Labor candidate of the recent
federal election to be appointed to a Government post. Susan Davies
won back a job as an interface councils liaison officer with the
Government.

A Government spokeswoman yesterday defended the appointment,
saying Mr Zahra was chosen because he was the best person for the
job, having had experience with the Loy Yang, Hazelwood, and
Yallourn power stations while federal member for McMillan.

She said the Opposition's "jobs for mates" claim fell short
given the Government had also appointed former Liberal MPs to key
positions.